Rep. Fossella Secures Study on Environmental Impact of Aircraft Emissions at Newark Airport
Rep. Fossella Secures Study on Environmental Impact of Aircraft Emissions at Newark Airport
September 22, 2005
Federal Study Also To Examine Emissions at Other Airports in High Pollution Areas
[Washington, DC] - In his ongoing effort to force the implementation of the safest and most efficient departure plan from Newark Airport, Congressman Vito Fossella (R-NY13) today announced that he has secured a federal study on the environmental impacts of aircraft emissions at Newark Airport and other airports located within high-pollution areas.
Fossella successfully inserted language in the recently-enacted Energy bill that requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT), to study and investigate the impacts of aircraft emissions at all airports located within non-attainment areas as well as to issue recommendations to promote fuel conservation and enhance fuel efficiency for aircraft. In addition, the study also requires the federal government to:
- Identify opportunities to reduce air traffic inefficiencies that increase fuel burn and emissions;
- Evaluate the impact that aircraft delays have upon emission levels, and
- Investigate ways to reduce unnecessary fuel use and emissions affecting air quality without increasing individual aircraft noise or adversely affecting safety and security.
"For too many years, the FAA has been looking at just half the picture by taking into account the environmental impact of aircraft only after they are airborne," Fossella said. "However, common sense dictates that there is an environmental impact on nearby communities when aircraft sit idling on runways. In the case of Newark Airport, which registers among the worst in delays in the country, pollution is being generated by every aircraft waiting on the runway to depart. We need to better understand the environmental implications of these idling aircraft and continue to push for a departure plan that most effectively reduce delays and pollution at Newark Airport."
According to a July 2000 report by the Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General, at the 28 largest U.S. airports, the number of flights with taxi-out times of one hour or more increased 130% over the past 5 years, with nearly 85% of all delay time occurring on the ground. In addition, it was reported that departure delays were significantly under reported, so the full environmental effect of idling planes is not known.
"As the FAA's airspace redesign moves forward, I hope this study will force the federal government to take an even-handed look at the departure plans under consideration and let the facts determine the solution," Fossella said.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/ny13_fossella/050922_newark.html